Zarvan
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SAAB Company announced yesterday at the AUSA convention it is studying adding enhanced, precision-engagement capability for its shoulder-fired weapons. The Massive Overmatch Assault Round (MOAR) study is part the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA’s) Broad Agency initiative seeking ‘Innovative Systems for Military Missions.’
DARPA’s MOAR project explores new ways to increase the combat power of small vehicle mounted or dismounted units introducing a compact, multi-function precision engagement weapon that would evolve into a new category combining the lightweight and versatility of current shoulder fired weapons with the efficiency of larger, heavier and more expensive precision guided weapons. Such weapon would use rounds capable of defeating a wide range of threats – from dismounted personnel, hardened structures, moving vehicles, armor, to unmanned aerial systems – with traditional and non-traditional defeat mechanisms.
The US military Army currently use a range of unguided infantry support weapons – from the 66mm diameter M72 LAW that produed by Nammo, that has both anti-tank and anti-structure versions, the 84mm M136 (AT4) rom SAAB that currently delivers only anti-tank effect and the new XM-29 from ATK, that shoots 25mm airburst munitions. SOCOM also operates the 84mm Carl Gustaf M3 from Saab’s while the Marine Corps use the 83mm Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon SMAW, also produced by Nammo.
Elsewhere, shoulder fired weapons are enhanced with capabilities such as intelligent sights, airburst and precision effects. Examples for new multi-purpose weapons are the Israeli Spike SR, the Enforcer KFK from MBDA and Pike from Raytheon. The lightest and smallest weapon of its type, Pike is designed to fit standard 40mm grenade launchers.
The Pike 40-mm precision-guided munition is fired from a grenade launcher such as this H&K AG-C EGLM or FN Mk13. It uses a digital, semi-active laser seeker to engage fixed and slow-moving, mid-range targets. Photo: Raytheon
Saab is likely to be the first to offer such capabilities with available weapon systems. Under DARPA’s MOAR contract Saab’s Dynamics will analyze possible concepts and propose solutions, and highlight areas where future research is needed. Saab will conduct studies on its own Carl-Gustaf and AT4 shoulder-fired weapons, both of which are current U.S. Army Programs of Record in service with the U.S. Army.
“Saab is investigating a possible solution: a precision-guided munition for shoulder-fired weapons that provides a long-range, high-precision, multi-target capability,” said Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s Dynamics business area. “Analyzing already-established platforms allows the research to remain focused on the munition itself,” he added. “Rather than developing a completely new solution, we are seeking to apply improved capabilities to existing systems – and that would translate to lower costs and faster availability.”
“This research is crucial to improving the power of small military units. Today’s short-range weapons lack active guidance, while long-range weapons are extremely expensive, physically burdensome, and often require teams of operators that smaller units do not have.”
Since the 2014 launch of Saab’s Carl-Gustaf M4 version, the company has already been investing its R&D money into new “smart” munitions to leverage the new system’s advanced capabilities.
Firing of a simulation round from an M136E1 AT4-CS confined space light anti-armor weapon (AT4) while conducting AT4 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Photo: US Army, by Carol A. Lehman.
The M4 is a crew operated weapon. THe loader is seen here loading the recoilless gun with a high-explosive round. Photo: SAAB
The M4 supports a broad range of ammunition for anti-tank, anti-personnel, anti-structure, and support (illumination, smoke etc.)
The Carl-Gustaf system is a crew-operated multi-role recoilless rifle weapon system that allows dismounted soldiers to defeat multiple challenges – from neutralizing armored vehicles, clearing obstacles and defeating enemies in the open or buildings using wall penetrating or airburst munitions. The weapon uses a common launcher and mission specific munitions. The latest version, the Carl-Gustaf M4, reduces the weight from 10 kg to less than 7 kg – less than half the weight of the original Carl Gustaf’ introduced in 1948. The new version is qualified for loaded carriage, thus significantly reducing engagement time. It is also compatible with intelligent sighting systems and prepared for programmable ammunition. In 2015 the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic became the first country to order the new Carl-Gustaf M4.
The AT4 comes with an integrated Red Dot Sight and is also ready to mount an ‘intelligent sight’ for more accurate shots at long range. Photo: SAAB
The AT4 is a shoulder-launched rocket-propelled munition contained in a disposable canister-launcher operated by a single person. Several types of AT4 are in use, including various anti-tank weapons, and high-explosive, wall penetrating anti-structure munitions. Both types are available in variants enabling firing from confined space.
All but the AT4 HEAT variant are designed for operation from confined space, and are effective in short range combat, at ranges of 20 – 500 meters. At a weapon weight of 7-9 kg, the anti-tank variants can defeat armored vehicles protected with 300 – 450 mm of rolled homogeneous steel armor (RHA), from a distance of 300-500 meters. The sights used with AT4 weapons include a detachable red dot or intelligent sights, in addition to the original open sight.
The anti-personnel and anti-structure variants are heavier and are designed to employ unique terminal effects – the anti-personnel weapon AT4 CS HE uses an impact or airburst modes. It is effective at ranges of 500 to 1000 meters. The anti-structure AT-4 CS AST uses a follow through (breach) and delayed blast effect to cause maximum damage inside structures. This weapon is optimized for urban combat and is effective at ranges up to 400 meters.
AT4 is disposable, ready to launch weapon family that includes anti-armor, anti-personnel and anti-structure variants. Photo: SAAB
